Drug interactions
Prednisolone + Warfarin
Severity: Moderate
Prednisolone and Warfarin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Corticosteroids can change the anticoagulant response to warfarin, usually increasing INR, and they independently raise the risk of GI bleeding. The effect is variable and more evident with high-dose or pulse therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisolone and Warfarin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Prednisolone belongs to Endocrine; Warfarin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Mechanism is not well established; possibly altered clotting factor synthesis and warfarin handling, plus steroid-related mucosal injury.
What to do
Check INR more frequently when starting, changing or stopping prednisolone and adjust the warfarin dose accordingly. Watch for bleeding signs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
Other interactions of Warfarin
- Defibrotide + Warfarin Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Warfarin Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Warfarin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Warfarin Major
- Adagrasib + Warfarin Major
- Amiodarone + Warfarin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Prednisolone with Warfarin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisolone and Warfarin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Corticosteroids can change the anticoagulant response to warfarin, usually increasing INR, and they independently raise the risk of GI bleeding. The effect is variable and more evident with high-dose or pulse therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisolone and Warfarin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check INR more frequently when starting, changing or stopping prednisolone and adjust the warfarin dose accordingly. Watch for bleeding signs.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Prednisolone page.
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